The “Forever Young” Strategic Plan

The “Forever Young” Strategic Plan

On the plane ride across country yesterday I closed my eyes and let the song list play. Bob Dylan is, of course, the iconic songwriter of our generation, and Joan Baez’ angelic voice is one I imagine listening to on the way into a peaceful afterlife. I guess I was in the spirit to listen to the words of a song within the context of preparing to give a talk on the future of education, and this is what I heard:

May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

And may your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

I have helped create a few mission statements and strategic plans in my time with schools, and read a lot more. We all share each other’s wisdom and discuss how we can prepare our young charges for the challenges of the road ahead. I’m not sure we can do better than adopt the directives of “Forever Young”. I could parse this out and explain what I mean line-by-line, how each phrase applies to education in the 21st Century, or in any other century, but no one reading this blog needs that, and I would feel small.